during derg regime

Answer 1

The Derg regime, also known as the Dergue, was a Marxist-Leninist military junta that ruled Ethiopia from 1974 to 1991. The term "Derg" is derived from the Ge'ez word "Derg," meaning "committee" or "council." The regime came to power following a coup that overthrew Emperor Haile Selassie I in 1974. Here are some key aspects of the Derg regime:

### Political Landscape:
- **Leadership and Structure**: The Derg was initially led by a committee of military officers but later headed by Mengistu Haile Mariam, who emerged as its primary leader.
- **Communism**: The regime adopted Marxist-Leninist ideology and sought to transform Ethiopian society along socialist lines, leading to the nationalization of land and industry.

### Key Events:
- **Red Terror**: A violent political campaign initiated by the Derg against perceived enemies, predominantly targeting political opponents. Thousands of people were killed, imprisoned, or disappeared.
- **Land Reform**: The Derg implemented land redistribution policies that sought to eliminate feudal land ownership, transferring land to peasants and collective farms. While this was initially popular, it led to inefficiencies and reduced agricultural productivity.

### Social and Economic Context:
- **Famine and Economic Challenges**: Ethiopia suffered severe droughts and famines during the Derg regime, most notably the 1983-1985 famine, exacerbated by mismanagement and civil conflict.
- **Civil War**: Various insurgent groups, including the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) and the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF), fought against the Derg's authority, contributing to prolonged civil war and destabilization.

### International Relations:
- **Cold War Dynamics**: The Derg regime initially received substantial support from the Soviet Union and other Eastern Bloc countries due to its Marxist orientation. However, its international relations were complex and shifted over time.

### Downfall:
- **Collapse**: Facing mounting internal pressure from insurgent forces and a lack of popular support, the Derg regime eventually fell in 1991. Mengistu Haile Mariam fled to Zimbabwe, where he still resides to this day.
- **Transitional Government**: Following the regime's collapse, the EPRDF took control and established a transitional government, eventually leading to the current federal democratic system in Ethiopia.

The Derg regime is remembered for its authoritarian rule, human rights abuses, and the social and economic upheaval that characterized its period in power.